News

Tree trimmer electrocuted

A man trimming trees from a platform in a suburban street was electrocuted this morning in Melbourne, Australia, after coming into contact with overhead power lines.

The scene as the recovery was in full swing
The incident occurred in Hughesdale on the south east side of the city, the man, 26, was pruning an avenue of trees from a truck mounted lift and simply got too close to the live lines. He was declared dead at the scene.

The two truck mounted lifts at the scene belong to Active Tree Services, one of the largest tree care specialists in the country with a strong safety ethos and specialist expertise in clearing tree limbs from around power lines. We understand that another tree company was also working in the street. The photographs that we have seen suggests that the operator was not unaware of the power lines, and may have thought that they had been deactivated?

It looks as though the operator was well aware of the power lines
A statement from Victoria Police said: “As a result of an incident about midday in La Trobe Street, Hughesdale, a man using a cherry picker has died at the scene. Police are investigating the incident and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner. WorkSafe are also investigating.”